General Atomics

NCA investigation leads to Border Force seizing £1m at Heathrow

As a result of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation, a man has been charged with money laundering after the seizure of £1 million in suitcases by the UK's Border Force at Heathrow Airport.



Image courtesy NCA

Mazen Al Shaar, 48, was stopped by Border Force officers on Saturday and the money was seized.

Al Shaar, from Hayes, Middlesex, was due to fly to Beirut. He appeared at appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A bail application was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on the 17th April for a pre-trial plea hearing.

Andy Noyes, NCA branch commander, said: “So many of the serious and organised crime threats facing the UK are driven by offenders’ desire for money.

“This detection of £1 million was because of brilliant work by Border Force officers which has now sparked our investigation.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This seizure highlights Border Force’s dedicated efforts to protect our borders and keep the public safe. Our officers are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and identify attempts to move illicit cash and other prohibited items across our borders.

"We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including the NCA to disrupt criminal networks."

Related

Stansted Airport reports record-breaking September
London Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport reports record-breaking September
Having experienced its busiest ever summer season, London Stansted has gone on to post record-breaking passenger numbers for September, surpassing the previous record set two years ago.
Aerospace

14 Oct 2026

UK drone companies ‘starved of oxygen’ after successful trials, warns Evolve Dynamics
The Wolfe drone by evolve dynamics, one of many made in the UK
UK drone companies ‘starved of oxygen’ after successful trials, warns Evolve Dynamics
British drone companies risk proving their technology only to find the orders needed to scale never arrive, Evolve Dynamics CEO Tom Redman has warned.
Virgin Atlantic becomes Green Cabin Alliance’s first Airline Allies member
Virgin Atlantic A330Neo cabin
Virgin Atlantic becomes Green Cabin Alliance’s first Airline Allies member
By joining the Airline Allies initiative, Virgin Atlantic will look to collaborate with other airlines, suppliers, manufacturers and technical teams, to explore how future cabin designs can be made safer and more sustainable.
Aerospace

14 Oct 2026

Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship towed into Devonport amid repair doubts
These are the voyages of HMS Protector , her 5 year deployment, to explore the Antarctica in support of UK interests
Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship towed into Devonport amid repair doubts
Why the Royal Navy may be without an ice patrol ship for years even as it faces more demands in the High Atlantic and South Atlantic.
Defence

14 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS signs £370 million contract for nationwide counter-drone defence of Kuwait
UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS will deploy a nationwide AI-enabled counter-drone network for Kuwait under a £370m contract, creating around 100 skilled jobs in the UK.
Defence

13 Oct 2026

Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
Malta Mobile Command Centre and Laboratory
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
The University of Malta now has a mobile connected operational environment housing workstations, real-time data processing, live video streaming and drone deployment in a single vehicle, that can be deployed wherever it is needed.
Member News Security Space

14 Oct 2026

MDA Space receives investment from CSG to develop space capabilities
Earth from space.
MDA Space receives investment from CSG to develop space capabilities
Through its investment in MDA Space Ltd, CSG is establishing a presence in the space sector to complement its activities in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Member News Space

14 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
Malta Mobile Command Centre and Laboratory
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
The University of Malta now has a mobile connected operational environment housing workstations, real-time data processing, live video streaming and drone deployment in a single vehicle, that can be deployed wherever it is needed.
Member News Security Space

14 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Cyber security being done by a man on a computer
Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Adding AI to the already complex business of cyber security has the potential to make attacks more sophisticated and harder to spot.
Security

13 Oct 2026